India and Kuwait held the seventh round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Tuesday, where the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and explored ways to further strengthen their strategic partnership across multiple sectors, including political, trade, investment, defence, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The consultations were co-chaired by Aseem Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the MEA said: “During the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They discussed ongoing initiatives and avenues to further deepen the strategic partnership in various spheres, including political, trade, investment, defence, energy, culture and people-to-people ties.”
The ministry added that both sides agreed to continue working closely on implementing the roadmap drawn up under the guidance of their leadership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024. It was also decided to hold meetings of the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) under the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the earliest on mutually convenient dates.
The next round of Foreign Office Consultations will take place in Kuwait. During his visit, Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat also called on Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA).
According to the MEA, “India and Kuwait share close historical and multifaceted relations. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at USD 10.2 billion per annum (FY 2024-25). The presence of over one million Indians in Kuwait is a testament to the strong people-to-people ties.”
India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait after its independence in 1961, initially through a Trade Commissioner’s office. The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s visit in 2024.
–IANS
